Before you start using our connectors, there are a few key things to consider to ensure smooth integration and optimal performance.
Product catalog structure
Clean product catalog – this is the main strong point of our connector and also show cases our implementation methodology for Odoo when coming up with integrating 2 systems.
1. Unique identifiers
All products and it’s variants should have a separate unique Internal Reference. So when you use it in the Odoo Inventory management you can identify it by scanning. Because variant has separate inventory SKU numbers. If references are not unique, later on it will bring problems like:
Inability to identify products in warehouse by scanning them
Impossibility to make proper sales reporting because of duplicated products
In addition to above unique internal reference allows us to match products between Odoo and e-commerce system automatically.
You can set up custom fields to connect your products across platforms. Just make sure the chosen fields have unique, non-empty values in both your e-commerce system and Odoo. For more information contact our support team.
2. Unique barcodes
If you are utilizing barcodes, they must be unique across products. However, barcode validation can be disabled if it does not fit your workflow, but this may increase the risk of duplicates or incorrect product mapping during synchronization.
3. Product catalog structures
Important: For the connectors to work correctly, your product catalogs in both your e-commerce store and Odoo must have the same structure. If there are differences in how products are organized, the connectors will not function properly.
Why is this important?
The connector needs consistent product structures to link and sync data accurately between your e-commerce platform and Odoo. If the structures differ, the connector might link products incorrectly, causing errors, missing products, or data issues.
Common Questions:
Why can’t the connector just use Internal References or SKUs to link products?
Internal References or SKUs are crucial, but they aren’t enough if the overall product structures are different. For example, if a product has variants in one system but is listed as a simple product in another, the connector won’t know how to handle this, leading to errors in stock levels, prices, and descriptions.
Are there any workarounds if I can’t or don’t want to change my product catalogs?
Unfortunately, no. The best solution is to align your product catalogs in both systems. This might mean restructuring products or adjusting variants. If this isn’t possible, the connector won’t work for you. The connector checks the structure during every operation (import, export, stock sync, etc.), and if there’s a mismatch, it can’t function properly.
All my products are simple products in my e-commerce store but grouped in a single template in Odoo. Will this work?
No, this setup won’t work. The connector can’t properly link simple products in the e-commerce store to a grouped template in Odoo. You need to match the grouping in both systems or avoid grouping them in Odoo.
Additionally, the connector links not only the variants but also their parent products (templates in Odoo). Even simple products need to have corresponding parent templates in both Odoo and your e-commerce system. If you try to map several parent products to the same Odoo template, the connector won’t allow it.
Example: You sell T-shirts in three colors: Red, Green, and Blue. In your store, you have three separate products: “Red T-shirt,” “Green T-shirt,” and “Blue T-shirt.” In Odoo, you have one template, “T-Shirt,” with three variants (Color: Red, Green, Blue). The connector would need to map each store product to the same Odoo template, which isn’t possible because mappings must be unique.
If the connector were to map products directly by Internal References or SKUs, you wouldn’t be able to add a new variant and export it from Odoo to your e-commerce system. That’s why the connector always checks product attributes and values – they must match exactly between the two systems.
I have a different number of variants in Odoo and my e-commerce system. Will it work?
No, it won’t work if the number of variants differs between Odoo and your e-commerce system. For the connector to sync correctly, the variants must match in both systems. If you have three variants in Odoo (e.g., Small, Medium, Large) but only two in your e-commerce system (e.g., Small, Medium), the connector won’t be able to sync the products accurately. This discrepancy can lead to missing products or incorrect stock levels and pricing.
To fix this, ensure that the variants are consistent across both platforms before syncing. If the products must have different variants in each system, you’ll need to manually manage those differences, which is not recommended due to the high risk of errors.
Tip: You can align the number of variants in both systems and then disable some of them in your store or mark them as draft if you don’t want those variants to be visible to your customers. This allows you to maintain consistency while still controlling what is shown in your store.
What if you have multiple variants of products that differ only in color?
When integrating Odoo with your e-commerce platform, it’s crucial to establish a consistent and clear referencing system for product variants. Here’s how we typically handle it with our customers:
Example: Let’s say you have a product called “T-shirt” available in three colors: Blue, Brown, and Yellow. We recommend using references like:
Blue T-shirt:
XXXXBLUBrown T-shirt:
XXXXBRNYellow T-shirt:
XXXXYEL
Here, XXXX represents the base product code, and the color code (BLU, BRN, YEL) differentiates the variants.
This reference system is carefully discussed and agreed upon with the customer to ensure it fits their needs and aligns with both Odoo and the e-commerce system. It’s a detailed process, and for large catalogs, this product catalog restructuring phase can take around 50-100 hours. This time is dedicated to ensuring the catalog is properly formatted and ready for integration.
Important: If you’re ready to align your product catalogs, our connector will validate them as the first step during product synchronization and provide a list of issues for you to fix. This way, you don’t have to do the validation manually.
4. Attributes and their values
Before starting the initial import, it’s essential to check for duplicate attribute values. Odoo does not permit attribute values with the same name, so any duplicates need to be resolved before you proceed with the import.
Why is this important?
If duplicate attribute values are not fixed, you may encounter issues during the initial import process, making it impossible to import configurable products and their related orders correctly. By addressing these duplicates in advance, you can ensure a smoother and more successful import, avoiding potential complications that could disrupt your operations.
Not sure if our connector will work for you?
If you’re unsure whether our connector is the right fit for your business, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our support team is here to help! We can answer your questions, provide guidance, or even schedule a demo meeting to show you how our connector works in real-time.
Contact us: https://support.ventor.tech/
We’re committed to helping you find the best solution for your needs. Let’s make sure everything is set up for success!